Hi all I have hit a blank wall with my ggf William Charles Hoaten. I believe he came from England. This surname seems to be rather uncommon and as I have been told there were Hoatens in Bedford, I am hoping someone here can help break this wall. >From Findmypast WC Hoaten appears to have traveled from London to South Africa (Cape) in 1899. He was listed as Wm Hoaten, born in 1874. There was also a W Hoaten (b 187 and E Hoaten (b 1886) who traveled from Southampton to South Africa (Cape) in 1907. He moved from South Africa to Rhodesia where he retired as a Major in the Defense Force. When I google this surname I get lots fo hits for the town but nothing for the surname. He died in Rhodesia and it is almost impossible to get a copy of his Death cert from Zimbabwe, so this source is a dead end too. Does anyone have any ideas on how to find out about him? Thanks Michelle Israel

Michelle, I've looked at a number of your messages at various forums. I know information is scarce, but unfortunately I don't think you present the readers with sufficient overview or factual data. The one fact you should have is that Mabel Cookson first married Alexander Crombie in March qtr 1899 at Tendring, Essex. So her marriage to William Hoaten wasn't until some years later. I couldn't find a Mabel Crombie in 1901 census, so I'm wondering if they migrated to South Africa immediately after their marriage. You also say that their son Eric was born in Johannesburg, but again fail to mention specific dates. Do you know when and where Alexander Crombie died and how many children there were besides Eric? You can then pinpoint a date for Mabels' marriage to William Hoaten and Eric's subsequent change of name. Again, with Eric's marriage to Marjorie Shelton, you don't give dates and locations. Presumably in South Africa so no use looking at UK records. But I wonder if one of your family has Eric's marriage certificate which might give some extra details. The same can be said for the marriage of William Hoaten and Mabel Crombie. I also wonder about the migration record you found around 1903 with Wm Hoaten and E. Hoaten. You suggested the E. Hoaten was born c1886, so it can't be Eric. I wonder if this was William's first wife or a brother or sister. Their age would be about 17. Did the record show the person's sex.? The only established link to Bedfordshire comes from 1851 census where the only incidence of the Hoaten spelling in all England is at Cardington. Then the family disappear. Did they go to South Africa? It might be worthwhile having a look at this line. I happy to help anybody in need, but there are just too many missing pieces. Peter in Sydney